Paxton Goes After Google Over Data Collection Allegations
(ConservativeHub.com) – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) filed a lawsuit against Google on Thursday, October 20. The tech giant faces allegations it violated the state’s Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act by collecting and keeping the biometric data of users. In the petition, Paxton asked the court to issue a temporary injunction to stop the company from continuing to take user information with hopes of further punishment and a permanent end to the practices upon a final ruling.
The Texas law requires companies seeking to collect any biometric data from users to obtain their informed consent first. Paxton contends that Google took identifying biometric information from users of its services, including Nest. Specifically, the AG noted the company had harvested voiceprints and facial scans. He also claims Google keeps the data. The legislation requires companies to destroy collected data if they haven’t obtained consent for the information’s storage.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Google Thursday for allegedly collecting biometric identifiers without user consent. https://t.co/VLBHqfVNSt
— Axios (@axios) October 20, 2022
In a statement, Paxton vowed to fight to “ensure the privacy and security of all Texans.” He took Google to court earlier in the year over claims it violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Consumer Protection Act in misleading advertisements. Reportedly, radio hosts claimed to have used a product that wasn’t on the market yet or available to them. He also sued the company for allegedly tracking users’ locations despite leading them to believe they had turned off the location function on their mobile devices.
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